‘One-stop’ licensing proposed for new businesses

New businesses would have an easier time getting licenses and completing other paperwork under a bill proposed by Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax, and passed by the General Assembly.

On unanimous votes, Senate Bill 1226 received final approval last week by the House and Senate. If Gov. Bob McDonnell signs the bill into law, it will take effect July 1.

The measure authorizes local governments to establish “one-stop” licensing programs. That means start-ups could go to one location in a city or county to register for a small-business license and fill out state and local tax forms.

“This system saves time for business owners by consolidating governmental paperwork in one place,” Petersen stated in a press release. “For example, as a small business, you can renew your car’s registration, obtain a business license and register for sales tax at one time.”

A related measure, House Bill 2183, introduced by Delegate Ben Cline, R-Amherst, also has cleared the House and Senate unanimously. It would allow businesses to register for sales tax purposes with their local commissioner of revenue rather than with the state tax commissioner.

The state tax commissioner would establish guidelines for local officials to follow.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88, stopped at Richmond Raceway Aug. 8 in advance of the track’s NASCAR weekend in September. He was joined by five players from the Washington Redskins, who were in town for the team's training camp, which concluded Aug. 14. The day in Richmond gave Earnhardt and the Redskins players an opportunity to see how the athletes compete in their respective sports. > Read more.

The READ Center is a top-200 cause finalist in State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist program, making it eligible to earn a $25,000 grant to support adult literacy in the Richmond region. The 40 organizations from across the nation with the most votes will win grants.

The READ Center, based in Henrico, provides classroom instruction and one-to-one tutoring to adults with very low literacy. > Read more.

The host Glen Allen 14-year-old all-star baseball team won two of its first three games in pool play at the 14-year-old Babe Ruth World Series, which is it hosting at RF&P Stadium in Glen Allen. The team beat the Midwest Plains champions, 9-4, in its first game Aug. 10, then topped the Southwest champions, 7-3, Aug. 11 before dropping a 5-4 result to the Ohio Valley champions. > Read more.

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U.S. Congressman Donald McEachin (VA-4th District) will host a town hall meeting Aug. 29 at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road in Henrico. The event will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. McEachin will address issues raised by attendees and provide details about services available through his office.
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